Everyone is Special

I believe that everyone is special in his or her own unique way. Unfortunately, while I may see the specialness in each person, I find that many adults don’t see themselves as being special at all. Here’s a case in point:

I was singing in the aisle again. It’s something that I do wherever I am; I move and groove to good music whenever I hear it. This happened to be in the home improvement department in Beall’s. Next thing I know, there’s a woman looking over at me…I know, she probably thinks I’m weird, but quite frankly, I don’t care. I live every day of my life with passion and I live it out loud. So, I figured she was another person thinking I was acting inappropriately. I was very wrong.

When the song finished playing, the woman came over to me and said,

“You have a very nice voice. I wish that I could sing like you. ”

To which, I replied, Y’know what they say? If you can sing, sing. And, if you can’t sing…sing louder!”

She laughed, but insisted she would be too embarrassed because I would hear her terrible voice.

“Do you really care what I think of your voice? Are you ever going to see me again? I belted out the tune, so why can’t you?”

“You have a very nice voice; you have something very special, “ she countered, “and I don’t.”

“Wait a minute! Everyone is special and each of us has our own unique gifts and talents that we were born with. What’s yours?” I asked.

“THAT happens to be an incredible gift!, I responded. “Do you know how many people don’t really care about others…I mean everyone is special but not everyone is compassionate. What a great gift you have!”

With that, the lady’s demeanor totally changed. She put her shoulders back, her head held high and puffed herself up with pride and validation. “Thank you,” she said with tears in her eyes.

“Thank you, “ I said, “for sharing your gift with me.”

Everyone is special. Do you believe that about yourself? Do you believe that about your kids? In order to teach specialness, you need to recognize your own unique gifts and make sure that you share them with the world! That’s the best way for your children to learn to share theirs, as well.

Everyone is special. I’d like to put one of those t-shirts on everyone. Yet, again…the specialness comes from the inside and bringing it into the world is more visible and telling than any t-shirt could convey.

In what ways are you special—and how do you share that with the world? What are your children learning about their own unique gifts?

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